Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter
Owen Bernard, executive director of the Diabetes Association of Jamaica, has expressed concerns about the growing number of Jamaicans who are living with diabetes but are unaware of their status.
Currently, over 300,000 Jamaicans over the age of 15 years old have diabetes. Fifty per cent are not aware they have the disease.
Mr. Bernard told The Gleaner that some persons usually find out about the disease when complications such as blindness occur.
Today is being celebrated as World Diabetes Day, under the theme 'Diabetes Care For Everyone'. The National Health Fund assists with providing drugs for diabetics.
Diabetes is the second-highest cause of death in Jamaica.
But what is diabetes and what are some of the symptoms of this disease?
Diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to regulate the amount of sugar in the blood. Normally, the sugar levels are regulated by several hormones, the main one being insulin which is produced by the pancreas.
In persons with diabetes, the body may not produce enough insulin is unable to utilise insulin effectively or may be compromised by other existing conditions, for example, obesity.
Symptoms
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme hunger
- Sudden vision changes
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Feeling very tired much of the time
- Very dry skin
- Sores that are slow to heal
- More infections than usual
What are the types of diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes, which was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes, may account for five per cent to 10 per cent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes, which was previously called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes, may account for about 90 to 95 per cent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only pregnant women get. If not treated, it can cause problems for mothers and babies. Gestational diabetes develops in two to five per cent of all pregnancies, but usually disappears when a pregnancy is over. Other specific types of diabetes resulting from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses may account for one per cent to two per cent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.
What to eat?
In general, eat adequate amounts of fruit, nuts, vegetables and 'heavy' foods, that is, foods which are rich in fibre, such as yams, wholewheat products.
Source:(http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/faq/basics.htm)
